<<Prev Rule

Texas Administrative Code

Next Rule>>
TITLE 25HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 217MILK AND DAIRY
SUBCHAPTER EDAIRY PRODUCTS AND MILK FOR MANUFACTURING PURPOSES
RULE §217.74Requirements for Milk Plants Producing Dairy Products

the date, time, place and signature or initials of the employee or contract operator doing the work, unless the milk tank truck delivers to only one receiving facility where responsibility for cleaning and sanitizing can be definitely established without tagging. The tag shall be removed at the location where the milk tank truck is next washed and sanitized and kept on file for 15 days.

  (6) Pipelines and/or equipment designed for mechanical cleaning shall meet the following requirements.

    (A) An effective cleaning and sanitizing regimen for each separate cleaning circuit shall be followed.

    (B) A temperature recording device, complying with the most current revision of the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, or a recording device which provides sufficient information to adequately evaluate the cleaning and sanitizing regimen which is approved by the department in writing, shall be installed in the return solution line or other appropriate area to record the temperature and time during which the line or equipment is exposed to cleaning and sanitizing solutions. For purposes of this section, recording devices which produce records not meeting the specifications of the most current revision of the "Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance" may be acceptable if:

      (i) the device provides a continuous record of the monitoring of the cleaning cycle time and temperature, cleaning solution velocity or cleaning pump operation and the presence or strength of cleaning chemicals for each cleaning cycle;

      (ii) the record shows a typical pattern of each circuit cleaned, so that changes in the cleaning regimen may be readily detected; or

      (iii) electronic storage of required cleaning records, with or without hard copy printouts, may be acceptable, provided, the electronically generated records are readily available. Electronic records must meet the criteria of this section and those provisions of with the most current revision of the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, which are determined to be applicable by the department and FDA. Except that, electronic storage of required cleaning records, with or without hard copy, shall be acceptable, provided the computer and computer generated records are readily available and meet the criteria of this section and Title 21, CFR, Part 11.

(k) Packaging and labeling.

  (1) Containers:

    (A) The size, style, and type of packaging used for dairy products shall be packaged in materials which will cover and protect the quality of the contents during storage and regular channels of trade and under conditions of handling. The weights and shape within each size or style shall be as nearly uniform as is practical.

    (B) Packaging materials for dairy products shall be selected which will provide sufficiently low permeability to air and vapor to prevent the formation of mold growth and surface oxidation. In addition, the wrapper shall be resistant to puncturing, tearing, cracking, or breaking under normal conditions of handling, shipping, and storage. When special-type packaging is used, the instructions of the manufacturers shall be followed closely as to its application and methods of closure.

  (2) Packaging and repackaging. Packaging dairy products or cutting and repackaging all styles of dairy products shall be conducted under rigid sanitary conditions. The atmosphere of the packaging rooms, the equipment and packaging material shall be free from mold and bacterial contamination. Methods for checking the level of contamination shall be as prescribed by the most current edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products" of the American Public Health Association as defined in §217.1 of this title (relating to Definitions).

  (3) Labeling. All commercial bulk packages containing dairy products manufactured under the provisions of this subpart shall be adequately and legibly marked with the name of the product, name and address of processor or manufacturer or other assigned plant identification, lot number, and any other identification as may be required by the department. Consumer packaged products shall be legibly marked with the name of the product, name and address of packer, manufacturer, or distributor.

(l) Storage of finished product.

  (1) Dry storage. The product shall be stored at least 18 inches from the wall in aisles, rows, or sections and lots, in such a manner as to be orderly and easily accessible for inspection. Rooms should be cleaned regularly. Care shall be taken in the storage of any other product foreign to dairy products in the same room, in order to prevent impairment or damage to the dairy product from mold, absorbed odors, or vermin or insect infestation. Control of humidity and temperature shall be maintained at all times to prevent conditions detrimental to the product and container.

  (2) Refrigerated storage. The finished product shall be placed on shelves, dunnage, or pallets and identified. It shall be stored under temperatures that will best maintain the initial quality. The product shall not be exposed to anything from which it might absorb any foreign odors or be contaminated by drippage or condensation.


Source Note: The provisions of this §217.74 adopted to be effective July 4, 2010, 35 TexReg 3038

Previous Page

Link to Texas Secretary of State Home Page | link to Texas Register home page | link to Texas Administrative Code home page | link to Open Meetings home page